Eddie is saying goodbye to Bobby’s 118 team in the newly-released 9-1-1 season 8 promo stills. While the majority of its scripted peers are already in the middle of the back half of their years, Ryan Murphy’s Fox-turned-ABC project is just gearing up for its return in 2025. 9-1-1 season 8 has been a mix of personal and professional stories, but arguably, Eddie has had the most turbulent year thus far. In light of Christopher’s abrupt move with his grandparents to Texas, Ryan Guzman’s character decided to follow, potentially setting up his exit from the procedural.
Based on the new promotional images for 9-1-1 season 8, episode 9, “Sob Stories” (via TV Insider), the show is moving forward with the plot, as Eddie says goodbye to his closest friends in Los Angeles. The batch of stills also reveals Bobby’s squad responding to an animal shelter, which could be Eddie’s final outing with the team. Arguably, the standout shots in the gallery are those of Buck, who appears distraught as the rest say goodbye to his best friend. Check out the photos below:
Is Ryan Guzman Really Leaving 9-1-1 As Eddie
It’s Highly Unlikely That This Is Permanent
As an ensemble show, cast reshuffles are not really new. Almost all long-running series on broadcast TV have experienced a character leaving, including 9-1-1, when Connie Britton’s Abby Clark left. Somehow, Murphy’s first-responder procedural is lucky that it has maintained its core group since then, which makes Eddie’s possible exit sadder. It’s worth noting, however, that there is no indication whatsoever that Guzman is permanently walking away from the show. If 9-1-1: Lone Star‘s handling of Grace Ryder’s departure is any indication, it’s safe to say that there would at least be rumblings of the actor’s contract ending by now.
In terms of narrative, there’s also no benefit in writing out one of the show’s most popular characters, especially since its fandom is highly invested in the status of his relationship with Buck.
Between that and Guzman being vocal about wanting to continue working on 9-1-1, there’s really no solid reason to believe that Eddie will truly move back to Texas. In terms of narrative, there’s also no benefit in writing out one of the show’s most popular characters, especially since its fandom is highly invested in the status of his relationship with Buck. There’s also no confirmed reason for this particular narrative, other than it’s a compelling way to move Eddie and Christopher’s story forward. Additionally, it will also create new narrative possibilities for 118.
Our Take On Eddie’s Possible Absence In 9-1-1 Moving Forward
Buck Is Clearly Struggling
Personally, I believe that this is just a temporary situation. Whatever happens moving forward, Eddie will find his way back to the 118. Losing him, even for just a couple of episodes, will undoubtedly have an impact on Buck, who is already struggling with some personal issues at the moment. Being separated from his best friend and considering the thought of them being split up would put a toll on him. Eddie will likely come back to LA, hopefully with Christopher. But it shouldn’t be understated what his departure could mean for Buck in 9-1-1 season 8, part 2.
Source: TV Insider
9-1-1
8/10
- Release Date
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January 3, 2018
- Showrunner
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Tim Minear
- Directors
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Bradley Buecker, David Grossman, Brenna Malloy, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Jann Turner, Jennifer Lynch, Marita Grabiak, Sarah Boyd, John J. Gray, Barbara Brown, Robert M. Williams Jr., Kristen Reidel, Marcus Stokes, Tasha Smith, Millicent Shelton, Juan Carlos Coto, John Gray, Greg Sirota, Alonso Alvarez, James Wong, Kevin Hooks, Varda Bar-Kar, Shauna Duggins, Sharat Raju
- Writers
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Tim Minear, Andrew Meyers, Brad Falchuk, David Fury, Ryan Murphy, Christopher Monfette, Nadia Abass-Madden, Nicole Barraza Keim, Erica L. Anderson, Matthew Hodgson, Stacey R. Rose, Taylor Wong, Tonya Kong, Adam Penn
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Angela Bassett
Athena Grant
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Peter Krause
Robert ‘Bobby’ Nash
